As Oris celebrates six decades of its dive watch legacy, the renowned Swiss watchmaker has unveiled the new Divers Date collection. This release is not just a tribute to Oris’ first diver’s watch, introduced in the 1960s, but also an innovative upgrade designed for modern watch enthusiasts. The collection encapsulates a nostalgic look back at a defining era of design while embracing contemporary watchmaking advances.
Oris first entered the world of dive watches in the 1960s, during an era brimming with creativity and cultural breakthroughs. It was a period that saw the rise of iconic figures like Sean Connery’s James Bond, The Beatles, and the dawn of modern scuba diving, popularized by luminaries like Jacques Cousteau. For a rapidly evolving world, Oris created a diver’s watch that was not only highly functional and reliable for underwater activities but also stylish enough for everyday wear.
Fast forward to 2024, and Oris is reviving that golden era of bold design with a modern twist. The new Divers Date collection carries forward the spirit of the 1960s but incorporates significant technical enhancements and contemporary aesthetics.
The silhouette of the original 1965 model is still recognizable in the new Divers Date, but almost every element has been refined. The first major update is its water resistance, now doubled from 10 bar (100 meters) to 20 bar (200 meters), making the watch better suited for today’s recreational divers. Additionally, the unidirectional rotating bezel has been upgraded with a scratch- and fade-resistant ceramic insert, which is more durable than its predecessor and improves both functionality and style.
The dial, available in black, blue, and beige, has also seen improvements. The markers, while maintaining their 1960s aesthetic, now feature beveled edges to enhance legibility. Furthermore, the new condensed typeface used for the dial was designed exclusively for this collection, giving the watch a commanding yet retro presence.
Oris has also modernized the bracelet, introducing a multi-piece stainless steel option with a quick strap-change system. This allows wearers to easily switch between the metal bracelet and the additional black rubber strap that comes with the watch. This level of adaptability makes the Divers Date a versatile piece suitable for both formal and casual settings.
One of the most exciting updates is the introduction of a see-through case back, allowing wearers to admire the inner workings of the Oris Caliber 733 automatic movement, which now offers a 41-hour power reserve. This combination of technical sophistication and thoughtful design ensures that the new Divers Date doesn’t just look good but performs impeccably as well.
In many ways, this updated collection is about more than just performance improvements—it’s about capturing a feeling. According to Oris’ head of design, Lukas Bühlmann, the goal of the Divers Date is to evoke joy in its wearers, much like the watches of the 1960s once did. “When we designed this collection, we were inspired by the effortless chic of the 1960s,” Bühlmann explains. “Think Alain Delon in La Piscine—the watch should feel stylish and timeless on the wrist.”
The choice of colors for the dial –from black toblue and beige — is a direct nod to the industrial palette of the 1960s, with its muted tones that are designed to stand the test of time. The combination of these colors, the upgraded ceramic bezel, and the iconic domed crystal gives the Divers Date a sleek, mature profile that feels at once nostalgic and thoroughly modern. Best of all: the new Divers Date watches retail for just $2,700.
Technical Specs of the Oris Divers Date
Case: Multi-piece stainless steel case, uni-directional rotating bezel with black ceramic insert
Size 39.00 mm (1.535 inches)
Dial: Black, blue or beige
Luminous material Hands and indices filled with Super-LumiNova®
Crystal: Top glass Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside
Case back: Stainless steel, screwed, see-through mineral glass
Operating devices: Stainless steel screw-in security crown
Bracelet/strap: Multi-piece stainless steel metal bracelet with folding clasp and quick strap change system. Supplied with additional black rubber strap with stainless steel buckle
Water resistance: 20 bar (200 m)
Movement: Oris 733
Functions: Center hands for hours, minutes and seconds, date window at 6 o’clock, instantaneous date, date corrector, fine timing device and stop-second
Automatic winding
Power reserve 41 hours
Retail: $2,700.